Empower Yourself and Others
Women are asserting themselves more in business, the professions, the arts and the voting booth — and are taking on more obligation in the vital area of philanthropy.
Women’s giving accounts for 18% of Detroit Federation’s Annual Campaign. By giving a gift in your own name, you embrace an identity that’s distinct and independent from that of another family members. A gift in your own name will:
- Connect you to the Jewish community in a personal, powerful way
- Be a role model to thousands of other women
- Inspire the next generation to stand up and be counted
Every gift matters. By making a gift in your own name, you play a vital role in creating social justice, aiding the vulnerable, preserving human dignity and building Jewish identity in Detroit, Israel and in Jewish communities around the world.
Click here to make a gift to Federation’s Annual Campaign.
Planned Giving
Leave a lasting legacy of support for your Jewish community. You can endow your gift at any level. Contact Susie Feldman at 248-203-1461 or sfeldman@jfmd.org for more information.
Jewish Working Women’s Network
The mission of the Jewish Working Women’s Network is to provide engaging educational opportunities and offer enriching programs as well as the chance to connect with other Jewish working women in our community.
We have a Facebook page of over 1100 members; our Pure Networking events reach 30-40 women 3 X a year at various locations in informal settings, no registration, no fee, to meet and network, share resources – women have changed jobs, met clients, connected to each other all based on this group. We also have resource programs 2 X a year featuring women from our community be it Harriet Rotter talking about the 5 Best Friends Every Woman Must Have or Michelle Cantor from Volar Consulting speaking about Unconscious Bias – every session is a new opportunity to grow and evolve. Our events always sell out. Join us!
For more information, contact Marianne Bloomberg, Associate Director, Philanthropic Engagement at 248-642-4611 or bloomberg@jfmd.org
Join Our Young Women’s Group
Young Women’s Philanthropy (YWP) welcomes women who are moving beyond NEXTGen or who haven’t been connected to Federation before. Through YWP, young women are sharing their interests and passions and creating and implementing their own ideas to connect with each other and with Women’s Philanthropy. There’s always fun with our Jewish Working Women’s Network or JFamily, there’s always fun and friendship in-store with YWP programs like “Days in the D.” YWP is dedicated to the mission of Women’s Philanthropy… to inspire others to make a difference through volunteering, education and philanthropy.
For more information contact Jodi Feld at feld@jfmd.org or 248-833-2512.
Travel With Us
Pack your bags and travel with Women’s Philanthropy. You’ll experience exciting adventures and cultural discoveries in Israel and Jewish communities across the globe. Each trip has a unique sense of purpose, deepening your connection to Jewish identity while expanding your world.
Plus, your daily activities, logistics, accommodations and (most) meals will all be taken care of by us! All you need to do is enjoy.
For more information about upcoming trips talk to Amy Neistein at aneistein@jfmd.org or call (248) 205-2543.
Volunteer With Us
Get involved and be inspired. Join Women’s Philanthropy as a Tikkun Olam Volunteer (TOV). TOV plans one-time, hands-on volunteer opportunities that benefit our community. Past programs include preparing and delivering Rosh Hashanah, Chanukah and Purim Packages and volunteering to support community literacy efforts, including Bookstock.
Ready to repair the world? eMail Amy Neistein at aneistein@jfmd.org or call (248) 205-2543.
Meet Our Leadership
Betsy Heuer, President
Betsy is a native Detroiter and has been involved with Detroit Federation for over 42 years, having previously chaired “Junior Division,” now known as NEXTGen Detroit. Prior to becoming Women’s Philanthropy’s Campaign Chair, she chaired Federation’s Partnership2Gether Michigan Steering Committee and Women’s Philanthropy Mosaic II, a women’s mission to Israel.
Betsy graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Spanish. She is married to Jeffrey Heuer, has 2 adult children and 2 granddaughters. Betsy is a self-published author of a memoir entitled “Beer and Whine” and has acted in Community Theater for more than 10 years.
“My life is so much more enriched from everything I do with Federation. I meet people young and old who I would never have the opportunity to know otherwise. I am amazed by the sheer number of programs that benefit from Federation dollars, locally, overseas and in Israel. There is no other organization that is a safety net for the entire Jewish community. I am grateful and proud to be a part of the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit!”
Sherrie Singer, Campaign Chair
Sherrie Singer moved to Detroit in 1994 from her hometown of Indianapolis, after graduating from Indiana University. She has been passionate about the Detroit Jewish community ever since. Prior to becoming Campaign Chair of Women’s Philanthropy, Sherrie served as Education Vice President, co-chairperson of Lion of Judah, Signature Event and Community Connections. Sherrie is co-founder of Young Women’s Philanthropy and Thread-Connecting Jewish Women.
Jewish education is an important part of Sherrie’s life as she is a Wexner Fellow and a graduate of Shalom Hartman’s Community Leadership Program. She has been a student of the Florence Melton Adult Education program every Monday for the past eleven years. Sherrie also spends her time helping other students with her work on the Board of Overseers of Hebrew Union College and of Hillel Metro Detroit. Sherrie received the Sylvia Simon Greenberg award for young leadership in 2011.
Sherrie married her camp sweetheart Danny Singer in 1996. They have two sons, Ari and Gabe, and a new puppy Winston. “I feel so fortunate to be a part of our amazing Detroit Jewish community. Women’s Philanthropy has played such an important role in my life and has encouraged so many other women to be passionate about helping others in our community, our nation and our world. Detroit truly is a special place because of its people!”
Nancy Glen, Associate Campaign Chair
Nancy is a true Michigander having grown up in Southfield, attended MSU and U of D Law School before settling down with her husband, Ralph McDowell, and their three (now grown) children in Huntington Woods. She worked for the nonprofit sector, assisting organizations in data collection and impact measures, and has been an actively engaged community volunteer.
Her long-time involvement with Federation includes the Local Agency Planning Division and the Hermelin Davidson Center for Congregational Excellence. Nancy also held Women’s Philanthropy leadership roles for the Jewish Working Women’s Network, Strategic Planning and was an Engagement VP. She currently sits on Federation’s Board of Governors and the Partnership2Gether Committee, deepening her knowledge base of our local and global partners.
“I am inspired by individuals who understand the importance of listening and supporting others. My grandfather (z”l) liked to invoke a Jewish ethical teaching that a wise person listens and learns from all people, that everyone has a voice, and everyone’s voice matters. I try to be guided by this principle.”